Survivor is a popular reality TV competition that first premiered in 2000 and has become one of the longest-running and most popular reality shows. It is made by Mark Burnett and hosted by Jeff Probst. The show follows a group of contestants, who are left in an isolated place. They compete in challenges and vote each other out until one person wins the title of Sole Survivor and a cash prize of $1 million. Each season of Survivor takes place in a different exotic location, where contestants are divided into tribes.
The contestants face physical and mental challenges to win rewards and immunity from elimination. The show has popular players like Richard Hatch, Parvati Shallow, and Tony Vlachos, known for their strategic planning. Currently, the show has 47 seasons and has been nominated for 63 Emmy Awards. The 48th season of the show is set to release on February 26, 2025, on CBS. Let’s take a look at some of the cast of Survivor Season 48.
Stephanie Berger
Stephanie Berger is a 38-year-old tech product leader who lives in Brooklyn, New York. She was part of the Teach For America program, where she taught middle school in New Orleans. She believes her teaching experience has prepared her for the game. From previous seasons, she likes Natalie Anderson and Yam Yam’s strategy. In an interview, she said, “Fewer than 700 people have played this game — and fewer than 50 have won. I want to be one of them.”
When asked why she will be the Sole Survivor, she said, “Survivor is about making it to the end sitting next to two people you can beat. The adaptability and resilience to make it to the end, the smarts to make the right moves along the way, and the storytelling ability to put it all in front of the jury. They shouldn’t let me get anywhere near final tribal.” Her biggest inspirations are the women in her life, as they show strength, grace, humor, and love.
Shauhin Davari
Shauhin Davari is a 38-year-old debate professor who lives in Costa Mesa, California. His speeches and debate team helped him prepare for the show, as it requires working with different people all the time. When he was asked why he wants to be a part of Survivor, he said, “Less than 800 people have ever played Survivor, the greatest game ever invented. I get to be the first Persian male to ever play and win. And I’m out here because I promised my mom I’d make it. Momma! We made it!”
He wants a partner who will be a strategist. He wants someone who will call him out and improve his plans. He coaches a forensics team (speech debate and theater) and has won 4 national championships in a row from 2015 to 2018. His biggest inspirations are his brother and mother. When asked why he will be the Sole Survivor, he said, “I’m the perfect combo. Socially, savvy. Strategically competent without being over the top. Athletically underestimated. Resilience is in my blood. In any game I play: my eyes stay on the prize.”
Eva Erickson
Eva Erickson is a 24-year-old PhD student who lives in Providence, Rhode Island. When she was asked why she wanted to be a part of Survivor, she said, “I want to go on Survivor to show the world a version of Autism they don’t often portray in mainstream media. I am Autistic, but my Autism experience is unique and will give people hope that even if they are on the spectrum they can still accept who they are and be successful.”
She is the captain of the men's club hockey team at Brown University and has competed against men twice her size, which has helped her prepare for the game. She wants a loyal person she can trust and form strong alliances within the competition. Her biggest inspiration is her family. When asked why she will be the Sole Survivor, she said, “I’m gritty as hell. I will work harder than anyone else in this game. I also am smart and smart enough to hide my intelligence. This is a game of minimizing perceived threat level so by emphasizing my physical abilities while downplaying my intelligence I will fly under the radar to success.”
Kyle Fraser
Kyle Fraser is a 31-year-old attorney who lives in Brooklyn, New York. When he was asked why he wants to be a part of Survivor, he said, “It’s the best game on earth. Even though my (and my tribe mates') backgrounds will color the game, they can’t control the game. It’s the one place where your actions inside of this society are almost entirely what matters. Beautiful.” He used to teach a GED and history/humanities course at a juvenile detention center. Learning was not easy for his students because of their traumatic environment. His ways of connecting with his students helped him prepare for the game.
From previous seasons, he likes Davie and Jay because of the obstacles they faced in their respective seasons. For the competition, he wants an open-minded partner who plays games with intentions and still has fun. His biggest inspiration is his older brother, as he was there for him during his hardships. When asked why he will be the Sole Survivor, he said, “For a multitude of reasons, I have been forced to interact with many different types of people in many different environments. I’m a people person with diverse experiences. It should help.”
Mitch Guerra
Mitch Guerra is a 34-year-old P.E. Coach who lives in Waco, Texas. When he was asked why he wanted to be a part of Survivor, he said, “I want to prove to myself that my speech impediment doesn’t limit me and that I can come out here and compete with anyone.” He shared about the experience which helped him prepare for the game and said, “Growing up as a person who stutters really forced me to become comfortable being uncomfortable. It forced me to work through hard moments every day by continually putting myself out there, thus allowing me to become more resilient.”
He resonates with Spencer Bledsoe, Joe Anglim, and John Cochran from previous seasons for their competitiveness. For the competition, he wants someone who is easy to talk to, someone who values his opinion and is level headed. His mother is his biggest inspiration because of her sacrifices and the love she has given him. When asked why he will be the Sole Survivor, he said, “Because of my ability to build relationships with people. I’m non-threatening and can use that to my advantage in this game. I thrive in a little chaos and when things get challenging is when I thrive.”
Saiounia "Sai" Hughley
Saiounia "Sai" Hughley is a 30-year-old marketing professional who lives in Simi Valley, California. When she was asked why she wanted to be a part of Survivor, she said, “Representation will always matter! It’s so important for other young black/POC women to see themselves in spaces not many POC occupy often. I’m doing this for all of the other young Black girls out there seeking the adventure of a lifetime.”
She shared about the experience which helped her prepare for the game and said, “The passing of my grandmother. She was such a force and raised me to be one as well. She taught me to continually be in pursuit of what brings me joy.” Her biggest inspirations are the women around her who helped in raising her. When asked why she will be the Sole Survivor, she said, “My social skills are unmatched, I have a true gift of gab but also an ability to make others feel valued, seen, and heard.”
Joe Hunter
Joe Hunter is a 45-year-old fire captain who lives in West Sacramento, California. When he was asked why he wanted to be a part of Survivor, he said, “My sister. She was a big fan of the show from when it started. She asked me to apply years ago, and many times. I didn’t think we could do it. Then she was taken from me by domestic violence. It took me years, but this is for her. It is about doing this for her and giving her peace that her brother did it! And did it for her!”
He shared about the experience which helped him prepare for the game and said, “I lost my sister from domestic violence. That event showed me I can do anything and never give up. Her loss was hard to explain, how painful it was, but has shown me I can do/overcome anything.” His father is his biggest inspiration, as his support, loyalty, bravery, and wisdom inspire him. When asked why he will be the Sole Survivor, he said, “I have been through so much loss, pain, and struggle. This has given me the power to overcome anything. This has given me the power to overcome and be the next Sole Survivor.”
Kamilla Karthigesu
Kamilla Karthigesu is a 31-year-old software engineer who lives in Foster City, California. When she was asked why she wanted to be a part of Survivor, she said, “I’ve wanted to play since I was nine cause the challenges looked fun, but now I’m old, so they look less fun. Instead, I want to play a solid, fun game and rep brown girls well, since our representation was non-existent when I was growing up. I wanna show all the brown girls life’s better when you ignore the aunties and do the exact opposite of what they want you to do. You be yourself and you love yourself.”
Failing at every step of her career helped her prepare for the game, and if things don't go his way on the show, she will be able to handle it. Her parents are her biggest inspirations as they have made many sacrifices for her. When asked why she will be the Sole Survivor, she said, “People won’t perceive me as a threat. I’m 5’1” so I’m not a physical threat, and I have a s--- vocabulary, so I don’t sound smart when I speak. But I promise! There’s a brain up there and it has at least one wrinkle!”
Also read: Where to watch Survivor?
FAQs about Survivor
A. Currently, Survivor has 47 seasons.
A. Dee Valladares won Survivor Season 45.
A. No, Survivor is not scripted.
